Bro. Carl Ray Walker

Funeral services for Bro. Carl Ray Walker, 82, of Lufkin will be held Friday, August 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jacob Fitzgerald and Brother James McKenzie officiating. Interment will follow at Ben Walker Cemetery with Ricky Sanford officiating.

Bro. Walker was born November 25, 1943 in Huntington, Texas to the late Elsie (Carrell) and Benjamin Carl Walker, and died Monday, August 17, 2026 at his residence. He was a lifetime resident of Angelina County.

Bro. Walker grew up in a logging family where he gained his work ethic. He started working with his family at the sawmill at 5 years old. He was a jack of all trades - log truck driver, sheetrock contractor, and for 13 years owned and operated Walker Radiator Shop.

Bro. Walker gave his life to the Lord in 1972 at Lala Hill Baptist Church, where he also married his wife Chloe. He began his pastoral career in 1981, serving at Dependent Baptist Church, Woodlawn Baptist Church, Redtown Missionary Baptist Church, and Saron Missionary Baptist Church, where he served the longest. He retired from Promise Land Baptist Church. He was known as the “Singing Cowboy Preacher”.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Chloe Evelyn (Bass) Walker; daughters, Carla Smith, Elsie LaRae Sanford and Cindy Deschner; son, Dana Lee Walker; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Sherrell Walker; brothers-in-law, Vic Bass and wife Sheila, and John David Bass; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Dennis Walker and Jeremy Walker; sons-in-law, Ory Sanford and Billy Marr; grandsons, Joe Buck Walker and Robert Smith; granddaughter, Cara Murry; sisters and brothers-in-law, Audria Ruth and J.B. Pride, and Iva Dell and L.J. Harris; and brothers, Burnice Walker and Robert Walker.

Pallbearers will be Taylor McBride, Jimmy Freeman, Jerry Pride, Colin Gibson, Dobber Bass, and Ernest Wayne Walker.

The family extends special thanks to Jessica Walker, Colin Gibson, Brenda Freeman, and Affinity Hospice, especially Ty Tanner, for their care.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.